Have you been missing live music the last few months? Well, then you’re in luck! The Moab Backyard Theater in downtown Moab, was among the first live music venues to reopen in the entire USA, hosting a lineup of local acts Tuesday through Thursday.

Once a person develops symptoms of COVID-19, it has likely already been days since they started unknowingly spreading the virus. As such, local health officials want to expand testing locally for the coronavirus.

Arches and Canyonlands national parks will partially reopen to the public at the end of the month, according to a spokesperson for the parks, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities.

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Carly Castle

The City of Moab has named Carly Castle as the new assistant city manager. A Utah native, Castle holds a Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and anthropology from the University of Utah. Castle joined the city’s staff on Sept. 30, according to city spokesperson Lisa Church.

For the past six years, Castle has worked in the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, first as a special projects coordinator and manager and most recently as the department’s water resources manager. During that time her work focused on water rights and resources, recreation management, intergovernmental affairs, land use issues, and sustainability programs and initiatives. She also worked to develop partnerships with local stakeholders, including community groups, nonprofit organizations, and business entities, said Church in an email.

“Carly’s wealth of experience is just what we need to help Moab develop solutions to the many challenges we face as a community – from community resilience to water and sustainability initiatives, as well as relationship building,” said Moab Mayor Emily Niehaus. “Carly brings knowledge, enthusiasm and energy to our city staff and we’re thrilled to have her on board.”

Castle is no stranger to Moab, having spent the summers of 2006 through 2008 living here and working as a river guide for Western River Expeditions, said Church.

“A lot has changed since that time, but I’m relieved to find the magic of Moab has persisted,” Castle said. “It remains a fun, eclectic town with a warm and engaged community. I’m thrilled to be back here full time.”

In her new role as assistant city manager, Castle will work with city staff to tackle a number of significant projects and issues, Church said. Those include developing more affordable housing options, helping to address a backlog of infrastructure needs, maintaining a vibrant recreation system for city residents, and working to implement the city’s sustainability goals.

“All of these are rewarding undertakings from a management and political perspective,” Castle said. “I’m really excited to be part of the Moab City team as we work to tackle these projects.”

Castle said her previous work on issues affecting the Wasatch Front parallels many of the challenges facing Moab.

“My previous professional experience focused largely on natural resource management, recreation management, environmental policy, water policy, and intergovernmental affairs regarding issues in the Central Wasatch Mountains,” she said. “I see many parallels between Moab and the Central Wasatch – they are two places that are grappling with the consequences of being loved to death. The problems they face share common themes, as intense pressure from recreation and development present similar challenges to local government’s ability to provide services and ensure a high quality of life for its residents. I believe my previous work addressing these similar problems in Salt Lake will be informative as I work with the city team to tackle big issues in Moab.”

So far, she said, the Moab community has been warm and inviting.

“The people I’ve met are enormously welcoming and accommodating. For example, when folks got word I was having trouble finding housing, I started getting dozens of tips and leads about possible housing options,” Castle said. “In fact, people I’d never even met were offering me the spare room in their homes. It was incredible to have this network of generous strangers come out of the woodwork to help me out.”

City Manager Joel Linares brought home the point Tuesday when he advised the Moab City Council during a budget presentation that, “not all months are created equal,” when it comes to the collection of sales taxes...

A heavy equipment operator loads a truck with dirt removed from the shoulder of north Highway 191. Crews this week will prep areas to receive curb and gutter installation on the west side of the highway and that work will take place on the east side next week. Vegetation is being cleared in the wetlands as needed for the storm water drainage system, according to the Utah Department of Transportation. Work hours on the $20.5 million project are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.